• 2023 – PRESIDENT'S AWARD

Karen Wolfrom MSA, RNC, CMC
President Holistic Elder Services

Today we honor Aging Projects, Inc., 2023 President’s Award Recipient.

The President’s Award is the highest honor we bestow upon an organization or individual.

Many things come to mind when we think about previous recipients and todays honorary. They are passionate about their field of endeavor. They deeply
care about the individuals they serve. They want to educate, and empower individuals to take better care of their health. It’s a topic that each year, millions of older adults, those 65 and older will face. Older adults age 65+ are one of the fastest growing groups in the nation expected to reach 80.8 million in 2040. North Carolina 65+ populations ranks 8th in the nation. North Carolina persons 65+ account for 25.4% of our population. In the next 20 years our 65+ population is projected to increase 52% and our 85+ population 116%. By 2028, 1 in 5 North Carolinians will be over 65+ and there will be more 65+ persons than children under 18.

So why is this so important to today’s recipient?

Karen Wolfrom MSA, RNC, CMC is President of Holistic Elder Services. She is a registered nurse certified in gerontology with more than 20 years of service to seniors and their loved ones. She is a professional level member of the Aging Life Care Association and serves on the board of directors of Aging Projects, Inc. Holistic Elder Services’ mission is to provide guidance and support for seniors and their loved ones, to save time, money and anxiety. Assessment, planning, problem solving, education and coordination, advocacy, and family and caregiving coaching services are all designed to help restore, maintain and improve the quality of life for aging loved ones, and help seniors achieve their functional potential and independence.

It is my honor to present Aging Projects, Inc., 2023 President’s Award to Karen Wolfrom MSA, RNC, CMC.

• 2023 – COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AWARD

Advent Health Hendersonville

Today we honor Aging Projects, Inc., 2023 Community Partnership Award Recipient.

Several thoughts come to mind when we think of a community partnership supporting aging in place. A culture of sharing resources, a culture educating and informing the communities we live-in and work-in, a culture of health, a culture of restoring health. In other words, a partnership between community stakeholders to “build a culture of aging in place.”

Aging Projects, Inc. developed the “Aging in Place. It’s in Your Future.” national conference series in 2014 to educate, develop future best practices, contain aging in place costs and “support people to maintain the quality and safety of life at home.” Since the inception of the national conference series in 2014, one community stakeholder has embraced our vision
year after year. One community stakeholder has supported you to maintain the quality and safety of life at home. You will recognize their name. You will recognize their name each and every time you visit Aging Projects, Inc. to find resources to age in place.

It is my honor to present Aging Projects, Inc. 2023 Community Partnership Award to AdventHealth Hendersonville.

• 2023 – ADVOCACY & AWARENESS

Susan A. Sacco M.S. Ed.

Today we honor Aging Projects, Inc., 2023 Advocacy & Awareness Award Recipient.

What is advocacy and awareness? Advocacy is the act of advocating or speaking or writing in support of an idea, passion or vision. What is Awareness? Awareness is the state or condition of being aware, the object to raise awareness. Together they are powerful. Together they have a multiplying force. Together they have a positive community impact. Hearing loss affects an individual in so many different ways from conversations with family & friends, listening to the radio & audio programs, watching a favorite television program, attending social events and so much more.


The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing works to ensure that all Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf Blind North Carolinians have the ability to communicate their needs and to receive information easily and effectively in all aspects of their lives, especially their health and well-being. The Asheville Regional Center, located in Asheville, serves 14 counties in WNC. We offer services and programs for people with hearing loss to help them achieve success in their daily lives. One program, the Equipment Distribution Service, where if one qualifies, they can get one free hearing aid or an amplified telephone. We also have information and resources on assistive listening devices and other signaler alerts to help individuals with hearing loss live independently.

It is my honor to present Aging Projects, Inc., 2023 Advocacy & Awareness of the Year Award to Susan A. Sacco M.S. Ed., the Asheville Regional Center Manager, Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

• 2023 – PROVIDER OF THE YEAR

The Hearing Guy Dr. - Brent Steele

Today we honor Aging Projects, Inc., 2023 Provider of the Year recipient.

Our Aging Projects, Inc., Providers are committed to maintaining the highest level of professional service. They are committed to honest dealings, integrity, compassion, and kindness. They have one simple goal in mind. Supporting people to maintain the quality and safety of life at home and in their community.

Hearing loss affects an individual in so many different ways from conversations with family & friends, listening to the radio & audio programs, watching a favorite television program, attending social events and so much more.

Dr. Brent Steele and his staff at The Hearing Guy take a different approach with patients experiencing hearing loss. Their patient centric care focuses on an individual’s unique needs, education, and developing a long-term hearing relationship. It’s all part of the patient experience to improve their quality of life in Western North Carolina.

It is my honor to present Aging Projects, Inc., 2023 Provider of the Year Award to The Hearing Guy.

• 2023 – VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Lucy Baines - Henderson County Homebound Outreach Program

Today we honor Aging Projects, Inc., 2023 volunteer of the year.

Henderson County Library’s Homebound Outreach is a free program available to any Henderson County resident who has a medical reason that prevents them from visiting the library. These patrons are eligible to receive free monthly delivery of any library materials. The Henderson County Public Library’s Homebound Outreach program was developed in the 1980’s to serve patrons previously served by the Bookmobile that operated between 1951-1977. From a handful of patrons, this program has now grown to serve hundreds in nursing homes, residential facilities, and private residences.

It is my honor to present Aging Projects, Inc. 2023 Volunteer of the Year Award to the service of long-standing volunteer Lucy Baines. Driven by fond childhood memories of the Henderson County Bookmobile, Lucy selected Homebound Outreach as a volunteer position approximately 10 years ago. In addition to helping with office tasks in the library, Lucy visits nearly 20 patrons a month delivering library materials. Her visits serve not only to exchange library books, but also as a much-anticipated social visit for our homebound patrons.